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	Leadership Update March 2011
	updated: 2011/06/02
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<a name="Jun2011" class="date">June 2011 Update</a>

<p>Last week the NRHC Partners met and received updates on the status of our short and long term leadership plans, as well as the purchase of the Rawlinson Place Campus. The direction we take in each of these areas is vital to accomplishing our vision for our city and beyond.</p>
<p>In the eight weeks that have passed since Chris Ruppe resigned as Lead Pastor, the Advisory Team (<em>Andrew Cope, Paul Crosby, Rob D'Avanzo, &amp; Richard Gregory</em>) and Executive Staff have been working together to both lead the church and determine our next steps. Through the initial stages of this process one thing has been overwhelmingly clear: we are committed now more than ever to not just maintaining our progress toward accomplishing our vision, but to take this progress to the next level. Through <a href="http://northrockhill.com/what-is-what-if.php">What If&hellip;</a> God has given us <a href="http://www.northrockhill.com/what-if-goals.php">specific goals</a> for impacting our city and beyond. NRHC's leadership is committed to establishing a team that puts us in the best position to accomplish these goals. This commitment has led us to some solid conclusions:</p>

<dl class="question-answer">
	<dt class="rounded">Long-Term</dt>
	<dd>
		<p>In order to put us in the best position to accomplish our vision, NRHC's leadership is working through a process of determining our next steps. We expect to have much more clarity on the outcome of this process over the next few months, but for now we are sure of the following:</p>
		<ol>
			<li><strong>We need to act wisely.</strong> We believe that it would be a mistake to quickly replace Chris. In fact, none of our current staff believe that the position as it was previously defined is healthy. Our church has grown a tremendous amount over the past few years, and our vision for the city has grown as well. Both of these factors dictate the we re-evaluate how our leadership is structured.</li>
			<li><strong>We need to evaluate what we have and what we need.</strong> Ephesians 4:11-16 provides a biblical picture of church leadership that equips the church to accomplish its vision. We are honestly exploring where our leadership is already strong and where we need additional help. This evaluation will ensure that we build a leadership team that is balanced and best suited to equip all of North Rock Hill for accomplishing our What If&hellip;goals.</li>
			<li><strong>We need to be financially responsible.</strong> Since NRHC's leadership determined that continuing to support the Ruppes financially was the right thing to do for their long-term health, we will not be able to add any additional leadership staff until 2012. Even if the money were available today, we would still need to go through the process of determining the type of person that best complements our current leadership team.</li>
		</ol>
	</dd>

	<dt class="rounded">Short-Term</dt>
	<dd>
		<p>We currently have three Executive Staff doing the work of four people. (<em>Our current Executive Staff consists of Dino Senesi, Journey Group Pastor; Neal McGlohon, Missions Pastor; &amp; Ryan Allred, Leadership Pastor.</em>) In order to best lead the church in the short-term, we have focused on 3 main areas.</p>
		<ol>
			<li><strong>Adjusting responsibilities</strong><br />
			&bull; Dino Senesi is a new member of our Executive Staff and is speaking more in Sunday services in addition to leading our Journey Groups and working with those new to NRHC.<br />
			&bull; Neal McGlohon is providing more overall visionary leadership and is speaking more in Sunday services in addition to leading our city, national, and international ministries including our Cypress Project church planter training.<br />
			&bull; Ryan Allred is leading the staff, facilitating the Advisory Team, and speaking more in Sunday services in addition to overseeing all church systems, facilities, and finances.<br />
			</li>
			<li><strong>Team Speaking in Sunday services</strong><br />
			Dino, Neal, &amp; Ryan are working as a team to share the responsibility for messages in Sunday services. Their speaking schedule is based upon best fit for the content of the series and the requirements of their other responsibilities. They may also incorporate other guest speakers that provide unique insight to a particular area (such as marriage or impacting our city) as those opportunities arise.
			</li>
			<li><strong>Calling All of NRHC to Step Up</strong><br />
			To accomplish all that God has for us, everyone that calls NRHC home will need to step up their commitment and involvement. We have opportunities to serve our city this summer with Movies in the Park, adopt-a-block through the Dream Center, our growing Home ministries, and Safariland and Kidscamp on Sunday morning. Contact <a href="mailto:info@northrockhill.com">info@northrockhill.com</a> for more information on these and other opportunities.
			</li>
		</ol>
	</dd>

	<dt class="rounded">Numbers &amp; Rawlinson Place Campus Purchase</dt>
	<dd>
		<p>Our vision for transformed people and a transformed city requires financial resources, so we will also need to see continued financial support from all who call NRHC home. Since Chris' resignation, Sunday morning attendance is down 8% and general operating fund giving is down 2%, both of which are typical trends from first quarter to second quarter. We also had a record Easter attendance of 1,319. However we are concerned with the 32% decline in What If&hellip;giving over the past 2 months. What If&hellip;was not the vision of one person - it is the vision of NRHC. All who call NRHC home need to prayerfully consider increasing their giving to both the general operating fund and What If&hellip;to put us in the best position to accomplish our goals.</p>
		<p>For the past year we have been working to complete the sale of the Rawlinson Place Campus. Even though we  met the parameters originally discussed with our bank in 2009, we have not been able to close the sale. The banking climate has changed significantly in the past 2 years, and all parties involved acknowledge that what was once financially possible is not currently possible. Therefore we have entered into a one-year lease on the Rawlinson Place Campus with plans to revisit the purchase at the end of the lease term. Your continued faithfulness to What If&hellip;giving will put us in the best position to purchase the Rawlinson Place Campus at the end of our lease.</p>
	</dd>

	<dt class="rounded">How Can You Pray?</dt>
	<dd>
		<p>God is still calling us to big things, and it is going to take all of us doing our part to reach the goals He has for us. As you pray for the future of NRHC, focus on the following:</p>
		<ol>
			<li>Pray that NRHC's vision to reach our city would advance</li>
			<li>Pray for our leadership to have clarity as they determine what we need to advance NRHC's vision</li>
			<li>Pray about your involvement in advancing NRHC's vision</li>
		</ol>
	</dd>
</dl>

<p>If you have questions for your leadership, please email <a href="mailto:advisoryteam@northrockhill.com">advisoryteam@northrockhill.com</a>. It is a joy serving with you.</p>

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<a name="Mar2011" class="date">March 2011 Update</a>

<p>On March 27, 2011 Lead Pastor Chris Ruppe resigned from his staff position at NRHC. Chris and his family will continue attending North Rock Hill as they begin their new journey together. <a href="http://images.northrockhill.com/pages/leadership-update-march-2011/Chris%20Ruppe%20Resignation%20Letter.pdf" class="external" target="_blank">Click here</a> to read Chris' resignation message.</p>
<p>The Executive Staff and Advisory Team of NRHC are currently working together to lead the church and prayerfully pursue a new leadership structure. The church will be updated as progress is made.</p>

<h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2>
<dl class="question-answer">
	<dt class="rounded">Chris has give us so much&hellip; how do we help Chris and family during this time?</dt>
	<dd>Chris is creating room in his life to focus on his first calling - his family. The leadership of NRHC requests that everybody relate to Chris as they did before his resignation. If you spent significant time together outside of NRHC services and events, then you will most likely continue to do so. If not, then plan on relating to him as you have previously. </dd>
	<dt class="rounded">Will our church loose its focus?</dt>
	<dd>NRHC is not changing its vision or focus. We are about connecting with God and others. Our passion is to join God's missionary work with our friends and the communities and nations around us. This is our church's DNA, and it will continue to be the focus of our efforts.</dd>
	<dt class="rounded">Is it really necessary for Chris to resign? </dt>
	<dd>Chris believes so, and the leadership of NRHC agrees. Chris has tried to Band-Aid his struggles while still giving his primary energies to the church, and he now realizes that he cannot continue this and expect healing to occur. His resignation from a staff position at NRHC creates the necessary room healing requires.</dd>
	<dt class="rounded">How will the church be led in Chris' absence?</dt>
	<dd>The Advisory Team and Executive Staff are working together to lead the church, as prescribed by the bylaws. They will begin working toward a permanent leadership structure soon, and the church will be updated as progress is made.</dd>
	<dt class="rounded">Who are the Executive Staff and Advisory Team?</dt>
	<dd>NRHC is led by an Executive Staff consisting of <a href="http://northrockhill.com/nrhc-contact.php#RyanAllred">Ryan Allred</a>, Leadership Pastor, <a href="http://northrockhill.com/nrhc-contact.php#NealMcGlohon">Neal McGlohon</a>, Missions Pastor, and <a href="http://northrockhill.com/nrhc-contact.php#DinoSenesi">Dino Senesi</a>, Journey Group Pastor. The Advisory Team is lay leadership that provides accountability and wisdom. Each member of the Advisory Team meets the biblical qualification for elder. The current Advisory Team is Andrew Cope, Paul Crosby, Rob D'Avanzo, and Richard Gregory.</dd>
</dl>
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